Increasing exports in specific products and providing necessary thrust by way of strategy is a continuous process through market study initiatives. Issues relating to tariff/non-tariff barriers are actively taken up during the bilateral meetings and also under the Institutional dialogues and accordingly Foreign Trade Agreement (FTA) are signed between countries. The ongoing trade procedures and infrastructure are reviewed through Trade Policy Review regularly.

The Government is engaged in negotiating a WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation in terms of the modalities contained in the Ministerial Decision on 7th December 2013. The ongoing WTO negotiations on Trade Facilitation (TF) seek to develop a set of multilateral trade rules that aim to simplify, modernize and harmonize trade procedure with a view to ensure smooth movement of import, export and transit of goods across the international borders.

The Foreign Trade Policy provides certain incentives to compensate for high transport costs and offset other disadvantages with a view to enhance exports. Various incentives are supported through the different schemes under Foreign Trade Policy like Vishesh Krishi and Gram Udyog Yojana (VKGUY), Focus Market Scheme, Market Linked Focus Product Scheme and Focus Product Scheme. Apart from above various Industry and Trade Bodies are given support for participation in Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs), Trade fairs and exhibitions in various countries under Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme.

Two percent Interest Subvention Scheme, which was available for certain export sectors viz. Handicrafts, Carpet, Handlooms, SMEs, Readymade Garments, Processed Agriculture Products and Toys, was widened to include 134 tariff lines of Engineering Sector w.e.f 1st January, 2013. Government also enhanced the rate of Interest Subvention under Interest Subvention Scheme from 2% to 3 % with effect from 1.8.2013.

To reduce time for clearance at ports, CBEC has started 24x7 customs clearance w.e.f. 1st September 2012 at Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai Air Cargo Complexes. Further, 24x7 customs clearance facilities are available at Chennai, JNPT, Kandla and Kolkata Seaports in respect of the following categories of imports and exports: Bills of Entry where no examination and assessment is required and

(i) Factory stuffed export containers and export consignment covered by Free Shipping Bills.

(ii) This facility was further extended to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kolkata, Cochin, Calicut, Coimbatore, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Nasik, Vishakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram Air cargo complexes with effect from 1.6.2013.

The information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Trade facilitation measures streamline customs clearance and expand export incentives to boost competitiveness and reduce border delays. Negotiation of a multilateral Trade Facilitation framework and domestic measures aim to simplify and expedite cross border movement of goods. The Foreign Trade Policy provides targeted incentives and market support schemes, the Interest Subvention Scheme was broadened and its rate increased for additional export lines, and 24x7 customs clearance has been expanded at major air and seaports for specified consignments including factory stuffed export containers and consignments with Free Shipping Bills.